Trump takes his revenge on disloyal Republicans

Trump takes his revenge on disloyal Republicans

Author: BBC News May 8, 2026 Duration: 36:22
Americast
NewsGovernmentPolitics

The US president is going after his fellow Republicans in Kentucky and Indiana. Donald Trump is getting involved in key state primaries - often in cases where US presidents don’t intervene - urging voters to stay away and not vote for candidates who Trump regards as his political enemies. From Indiana to Kentucky, Louisiana and beyond, Anthony and Justin look at how Trump’s MAGA Republican party is targeting fellow Republicans and whether it’s succeeding. Trump’s top target is the seven term Republican congressman in Kentucky, Thomas Massie who has stood up to Trump on issues including the Epstein files, congressional spending and the war in Iran. Massie now faces a challenge from a multi million dollar funded Trump backed candidate… we look at Massie’s chances, and what this race tells us more widely about what happens to Republicans who stand up to Trump. We also look at Louisiana and Indiana, where Trump has recently wiped out state senators he regarded as disloyal.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

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This episode was made by Purvee Pattni, Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. The technical producers were Jack Graysmark and Stephen Bailey. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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